James Colquhoun Grant

Transatlantic

[with Ann Wilson] John, Lachlan, Alexander, David, James Jackson, Mary, Elizabeth

PROB 11/1662/208 - precis.

James Colquhoun Grant of the parish of Hanover Esquire.

Payment of just debts and funeral expenses.

To my housekeeper Mrs Ann Wilson a free woman of colour now residing with me £150 sterling yearly for the term of her natural life. For the payment of the said annuity I make liable all my estate real and personal whatoever and wheresoever.

To the sons of Mrs Ann Wilson, £100 sterling to be payable immediately after my decease, also all my liquors, all provisions, horses, mules, carriages, all my wearing apparel for the use of her children reputed by me.

To each of my five reputed sons by Ann Wilson named John Grant, Lachlan Grant, Alexander Grant, David Grant and James Jackson Grant £1500 sterling at age 21, the interest in the meantime applied to their mantenance and education and it is my desire that as they arrive at a proper age they may be sent to some service and credible profession by which they may be entitled to form a subsistence.

To each of my two reputed daughters by Ann Wilson named Mary Grant and Elizabeth Grant £750 sterling at age 18 or at marriage with the consent of two of their guardians hereinafter named of whom Miss Elizabeth J. Allen be one of the two, the interest in the meantime applied to their maintenance and education.

If any sons die before 21 or daughters before 18 without issue then the legacy be equally divided between the survivors.

These bequests and the principal sum from which the annuity for Ann Wilson is to arise be placed out on the very best and safest British Security but on no account in Jamaica.

To my reputed son John Grant by Ann Wilson my gold watch, chain and seals.

To my executors all the houshold furniture, china, linen etc in my house and freehold in the village of New Keith in the County of Banff, N[orth] B[ritain] in trust for Ann Wilson to possess and enjoy during the term of her natural life but not to be subject to any debts she may contract and form and immediately after her decease then in trust for the use and behoof of my reputed daughters Mary Grant and Elizabeth Grant and their heirs and assigns forever.

To my beloved nephew Mr James Grant of the parish of Westmoreland my horse named Will and my gold snuff box.

All the rest, residue and remainder to be divided between my five reputed sons and two reputed daughters in the proportions of four sixth parts amongst the sons and two sizth parts between the daughters.

My friends James Jackson McLachlan now or likely residing in Edinburgh Esqr., Dr David Mason in the parish of Westmoreland, my nephew Mr James Grant executors and guardians of my reputed children. Also Miss Elizabeth J. Allen now or likely residing at Garbraid near Glasgow a guardian of my aforesaid two reputed daughters.

No person may have access to my books or papers but in the presence and with the consent of my nephew Mr James Grant.

It is my desire that in the event of my departing this life before I can put my intention of leaving the Island in execution that my housekeeper Mrs Ann Wilson do go home in the Jamaica Capt. Alexander for Greenock with the children and remain in Britain and to be addressed by my nephew Mr James Grant to the care of my worthy friend James Jackson McLachlan one of my executors and I hereby corgiere[?] him by the friendship which has so long subsisted betwixt us to pay every attention to her and her children and afford them his protection. I desire that the expense of their passage may be paid out of my general estate and that they may have the [?] accomodation of the stock and provisions of every description for [?] stores which I had provided for myself.

Signed 30/05/1822. Witnesses Wm Brebner, John Grant, D. Grant, Archd. Alexander Master of Ship Jamaica. Thomas Andrew Mate of Ship Jamaica.

Proved at London 15/10/1822 by the oaths of James Jackson McLachlan Esquire and David Mason, two of the executors.

Planter and attorney